15 May 2004
Arsenal (0) 2 (Henry (pen) 47, Vieira 66)
Leicester (1) 1 (Dickov 26)
Arsenal end the season unbeaten, the first club to do so in the top division
for 115 years, although for a while they were made to sweat by already
relegated Leicester. Despite dominating, the Champions went in at half time
a goal down, courtesy of Leicester's only effort on goal in the first half.
The unlikely provider was Frank Sinclair whose run and cross found Paul
Dickov at the far post to nod in. Sinclair turned villain early in the
second half when he conceded a penalty with a clumsy tackle on Ashley Cole.
Thierry Henry kept his nerve to sweep in the spot kick. Victory, and that
astonishing record, was confirmed midway through the second half when Dennis
Bergkamp found a perfect through ball for Patrick Vieira, who jinked around
Ian Walker and tapped into an empty net.
Aston Villa (0) 0
Man United (2) 2 (Ronaldo 4, Van Nistelrooy 10)
RED CARDS : Fletcher 75, Ronaldo 85 (both Man Utd)
Aston Villa blew their hopes of a UEFA Cup spot as they faltered to an early
goal blitz from Man United, who ended the game with just nine men. Cristiano
Ronaldo opened the scoring when he collected a pass from Darren Fletcher and
then drilled inside the near post from the edge of the area. Six minutes
later, a long ball from Paul Scholes deceived both Liam Ridgewell and keeper
Thomas Sorensen, leaving Ruud van Nistelrooy with a tap in. Referee Rob
Styles then took centre stage by flashing cards around seemingly at will and
when Fletcher caught Thomas Hitzlsperger with a high tackle, he was shown a
second yellow card having already been booked for kicking the ball away. Ten
minutes later, Ronaldo committed a similar crime to that of Fletcher's first
booking and was also shown a red card having previously been harshly booked
for diving when it appeared that he was actually fouled. A case of previous
experience coming back to haunt maybe?
Blackburn (1) 1 (Cole 24)
Birmingham (0) 1 (John 83)
Honours even at Ewood Park as Blackburn and Birmingham see out their
differing seasons. The hosts, in relegation trouble a few weeks ago, took
the lead when Tugay's shot hit Andy Cole who then battled into the area and
found the bottom corner. Birmingham levelled late on when Damien Johnson's
cross was headed in by Stern John.
Bolton (0) 0
Fulham (1) 2 (McBride 45, 78)
Fulham ended their season with a win at Bolton, although both clubs will be
delighted with their best ever Premiership position. Brian McBride scored
both goals, the first with a far post header from Luis Boa Morte's cross and
then with a shot, again at the far post, after Steed Malbranque drilled the
ball across.
Charlton (1) 2 (Euell 36, Cole 53)
Southampton (0) 1 (Prutton 64)
Charlton also record their best ever Prem position with a narrow win over
Southampton. They took the lead when Paolo di Canio found Jason Euell and
his effort found the bottom corner. Carlton Cole doubled the lead, latching
onto Matt Holland's long ball to fire in at the far post. Saints pulled one
back when Steven Crainey's cross was dummied by Brett Ormerod, allowing Davd
Prutton to sneak in and score.
Chelsea (1) 1 (Gronkjaer 20)
Leeds (0) 0
Chelsea ended their season with a win against relegated Leeds who actually
moved up a place despite the defeat. Chelsea dominated throughout but only
managed one goal, a header from Jesper Gronkjaer from Glen Johnson's cross.
Liverpool (0) 1 (Owen 67)
Newcastle (1) 1 (Ameobi 25)
Newcastle clinched a UEFA Cup spot by the skin of their teeth with a point
at Anfield. They took the lead when Lee Bowyer set up Shola Ameobi whose
shot was across the keeper and inside the far post. Liverpool equalised when
Steven Gerrard's cross was touched in by Michael Owen.
Man City (3) 5 (Wanchope 16, 30, Anelka 41, Sibierski 89, Wright-Phillips 90)
Everton (0) 1 (Campbell 60)
Man City ended their season with a bang as they demolished Everton who
finish their campaign just one place above the drop zone. City stormed into
a three goal half time lead, firstly when Paulo Wanchope converted after Nik
Anelka's shot was blocked and then he netted again after Anelka's effort hit
his own player. Anelka himself added the third with a crisp finish as
Wanchope turned provider and although a Kevin Campbell header gave Everton
hope, they were sunk by two late goals. Antoine Sibierski scored the first,
a tap in from John Macken's cross and the icing on the proverbial cake came
from Shaun Wright-Phillips with a firm shot having been sent clear by Sun
Jihai.
Portsmouth (3) 5 (Yakubu 5, (pen) 14, 31, 83, Sheringham 80)
Middlesbrough (1) 1 (Zenden 27)
Five goals also for Portsmouth as the Yakubu show blasted Middlesbrough
away. The striker netted a 26 minute hat trick in the first half to
effectively kill the game off, the first coming from an Eyal Berkovic pass
which sent him clear to produce a clipped finish. Nine minutes later, he was
fouled in the area by Danny Mills and doubled the lead from the penalty spot
and although Boudewijn Zenden pulled one back with a crisp shot from the
edge of the area having been set up by Joseph Desire-Job, there was no
stopping Yakubu. Within four minutes, he'd completed his hat trick when he
fired home after Ego Ehiogu had headed a clearance straight at him. Enter
Teddy Sheringham in his final game for Pompey to add the fourth, a tap in
from two yards after Matthew Taylor crossed, however the final word came,
fittingly, from Yakubu whose fourth of the game came courtesy of a neat
one-two with Taylor.
Wolves (0) 0
Spurs (1) 2 (Keane 34, Defoe 57)
RED CARD : Ince (Wolves) 67
Wolves drop to bottom on goals scored after a home defeat against Spurs.
Robbie Keane opened the scoring against his former club as he latched onto a
through ball from youngster Mark Yeates to slot home at the second attempt
after his first effort was saved. Notable that he didn't celebrate with his
usual gymnastics due to it being a former club. Jermain Defoe doubled the
lead when he latched onto a dreadful back pass from Carl Cort to round the
keeper and slot in. Wolves' misery was complete when Paul Ince was sent off
for a second bookable offence, a trip on Jamie Redknapp.
Reviews will be back in August for the 2004-5 season.
Gary Dowden - Joint Admin Topica Premier-L list
http://www.topica.com/lists/premier-L/
Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it
http://www.peanutsfan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/footiemad
The Unofficial Premiership Site
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